Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed suit against the Interior Department on Monday to nullify a self-governance agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana.

PEER says the tribe should not manage certain functions at the National Bison Range. The group says inherent federal functions can't be handled by a non-federal entity.

The tribe signed an annual funding agreement that took effect in September. The range is located entirely within reservation boundaries and its herd descends from animals that were raised by tribal members.

Get the Story:
Group files suit against tribes' deal on Bison Range (The Missoulian 12/9)
Suit filed over National Bison Range plan (KPAX 12/9)

OIG Report:
National Bison Range (November 2007)

Evaluation Report:
Implementation of the Annual Funding Agreement (May 2006)

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House Resources hearing on self-governance bill (11/8)
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